Victim of teacher’s sexual assault awarded $1 million

A judge has awarded more than $1 million to a woman who was sexually assaulted by a Wallingford teacher. It’s not known how much of the civil judgment the woman will receive because the ex-teacher, Mario Fusco, is serving an eight-year prison sentence for abusing her.

The Republican-American reports that Waterbury Superior Court Judge Terence Zemetis announced his decision on Thursday, addressing the woman who was in her teens when she was abused. He said her innocence was taken from her in a predatory relationship with Fusco.

Fusco pleaded guilty last year to sexualassault and other charges. His lawyer, Martin Minnella, cross-examined the woman who said she’s no longer taking medication and is not under psychiatric care. Minnella calculated her medical bills at $5,100.